Lamp socket construction



June 19, 1951 c. E. CAESTECKER LAMP SOCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 24, 1947 bz/zsnzl on- C/Earles Z: @esi ecler Patented June 19, 1951 UNITED STATES LAMP SOCKET CONSTRUCTION Charles E. Caestecker, Kenilworth, 111., assignor to American Molded Products 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,852.

The present invention relates to improvements in lamp socket assemblies of the type adapted for use in connection with relatively small size electric lamps, such as are used for dial lights or panel. lights, in the radio and automotive fields, and certain types of amusement game apparatus.

Socket assemblies of this general class, as heretofore producedare primarily of two main forms; one form being of the type having a threaded socket body for the reception of a lamp having a threaded base, and the other form being of the type having a socket body provided with bayonet sl ts for the reception of a lamp having a pair of laterally projecting lugs on the base portion thereof. Such socket assemblies, due to their substantial height, do not lend themselves for convenient use in certain installations where space limitations are an important factor, where, for example, it is desired to obtain a compact piece of apparatus of relatively small dimension, such as a radio receiver. Furthermore, such socket assemblies, as heretofore produced, are usually provided with elongated terminal elements which must be soldered to the respective pairs of lugs associated with the socket body of the assembly, and which requires time, as well as the attendant possibility of. an insecure electrical connection.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved socket assembly of 5 the: character indicated, which obviates the foregoing difiiculties.

Another object is to provide. an improved socket assembly as a unitary device, having elongated terminals formed as a direct part of the assembly so as to dispense with the necessity of making the usual soldered connections directly to the terminals of the socket.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved socket assembly of the character indicated which permits obtaining a relatively compact device so: as to effect a substantial reductionin dimensions of the socket and lamp assembly in axial direction of the socket.

Still another object is to provide an improved socket assembly which permits quick and easy insertion and removal of the electrical lamp from the socket body.

And, still another object is to provide an improved lamp socket assembly composed of relatively few parts, and which is of simplified construction and capable of being economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of. this invention will be apparent from the iollowing description,

5 Claims. (01. 173328) v taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged view, part in section and part in elevation of the lamp socket assembly embodying the present invention, illustrated in conjunction with a target device of the type adapted to be utilized in connection with amusement game apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged. bottom View of the. lamp socket assembly per se;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the lamp socket assembly, showing a lamp mounted therein, and taken substantially as indicated at line 3-3 on Figure 2; and,

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the. assembly, taken substantially as indicated at line 4- on Figure 1.

The lamp socket assembly embodying the present invention is, for purposes of illustration; shown in Figure 1 of the drawing as used in connection with a target device for an amusement game apparatus, and the socket assembly as represented is approximately three times actual size. In Figure l, the target device is shown mounted in an opening I0, of a mounting board ii, and the target device comprises a main body or base element l2, and a removable top M. The body and top of, the target device is preferably formed of translucent plastic material.

As represented in the drawing, the socket assembly embodying the present invention is adapted for use in connection with an electric lamp designated at [5, of a type having a generally cylindrical base portion l6, provided with a pair of diagrammatically opposite, laterally extending lugs or pins I1, and having the end of the base portion thereof provided with a terminal indicated at [8.

The socket assembly comprises a base element 213, in the form of a sheet metal stamping, hav ing a generally circular opening 2|, surrounded by a pair of upstanding, spaced apart, arcuate flanges 22. As may be seen in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the base element is of generally flat form, and is provided with a pair of notches 24, registering with the spaces between the adjacent ends of the pair of flanges 22, for accommodating the lugs I! on the base portion of the lamp when the lamp is in process of being mounted in the socket assembly. The arcuate flanges 22 taper downwardly at opposite ends toward the respective notches 24 so that each set of adjacent ends of the flanges constitute a wide mouth, for guiding and directing the lugs l! of the lamp into registration with the notches 24 in the process of positioning the lamp in the socket. It is to be understood that the arcuate flanges 22, being of arcuate form, are dimensioned so as to constitute a socket body, serving to support and provide electrical contact with the cylindrical base portion I6 of the lamp.

The underside of the main portion of the base element 20, adjacent the opening 2|, is provided with a pair of spaced apart seats 26, in the form of upwardly extending recesses, said seats being spaced circumferentially from said notches 24, and as shown in the drawing, at substantially 90 relationship to said notches.

Mounted on the underside of the main portion of the base element is a yieldable contact member 30, one end of which is rigidly attached to said base element in insulated relation. As may be seen in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, the attachment is by means ofv a tubular rivet 32 with two insulating elements 33 and 34 formed so as to provide an insulated electrical connection of the contact member to the base element, The insulating element 33 is in the form of a flanged eyelet, and the element 34 is of generally rectangular form, and is held in fixed relation by a pair of downturned lugs 36 formed integrally with the base element 20, at opposite sides. The marginal edge of the insulating member 34 extends beyond certain adjacent portions of the base element 20, as may be seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, and the contact member 30, is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 38, engaging the marginal edge of the insulating element 34,

as may be seen in Figure 2 of the drawings,

which, together with the lugs 36 insure proper positioning of the insulating member 34.

The yieldable contact member 30 includes a spring finger portion 40, extending below and in registration with the opening 2| in the base element in a position to be engaged by the terminal 18 on the base portion of the lamp, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawing, so as to maintain a spring pressed engagement with the base terminal of the lamp. When the lamp is in process of being inserted into the socket, and the lugs I1 thereof are seated in the notches 24, downward pressure must be exerted onthe lamp, thus depressing the spring finger 40 to an extent as will permit said lugs to be projected below the main portion of the base element, and permit the lamp to be rotated until its lugs are engaged in the seats 26.

To prevent excess movement of the spring finger 40 when the lamp is placed in operative position in the socket, there is provided a fixed stop, which, as herein shown, is in the form of a downwardly depending lug 4l stamped out of the base, outwardl of one of the notches 24. The lug 4| is formed and positioned to be engaged by the end of the base portion l6 of the lamp, if depressed to too great an extent, for positively limiting the extent of insertion in the socket.

To simplify removal of the lamp from the socket assembly, the base element is formed with a downturned lug 43, in registration with one side or other of said notches 24, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, so as to constitute stop means adapted to be engaged by one of the lugs ll of the lamp when it is being rotated in process of being removed from the socket, so as to insure that the lugs ll will be arrested in registration with the notches 24 and facilitate ready removal of the lamp from the socket,

Formed as an integral part of the base element 20 is an elongated terminal element 48, and formed as an integral part of the yieldable contact member 30 is an elongated terminal element 49. The terminal elements, as shown in the drawing, extend substantially downwardly with respect to the socket assembly, but may be formed to extend in other directions, depending upon the nature of the installation of the socket assembly.

B virtue of the socket assembly embodying the present invention, it will now be apparent that substantial economies in manufacture will be obtained as compared with socket assemblies of the same general type as heretofore produced, by reason of the substantial reduction in the number of parts. It will also be manifest, that by virtue of the construction herein disclosed, a substantial reduction in height of the socket and lamp assembly is attained, so as to permit use of the socket assembly in conjunction with apparatus where space limitations are an important factor. It has been determined that the reduction in general overall dimension of the socket assembly, with the lamp in place, as compared to prior constructions, is in the range of approximately /8". This reduction in dimension is of considerable importance when such sockets are used in apparatus where compact structures are desired, such as in certain types of radio receiving units. It will also be apparent that forming the terminals for the socket assembly as an integral part thereof effects a substantial saving in time by dispensing with the necessity of making soldered connections, as heretofore has been necessary, as well as eliminating the possibility of insecure electrical connections.

Although I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, it will be apparent that various constructional features of the present socket assembly may be advantageously employed in a socket assembly 'of the type where it is desired to utilize a, lamp having a screw threaded type of base portion. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric lamp socket of the character de scribed, comprising a base element formed as a sheet metal stamping and having a socket body for the reception of the base portion of an electric lamp, said element having features adapted to cooperate with features on the base portion of the lamp for removably securing said lamp in the socket body, said socket body having an open bottom through which the terminal end of said base portion of the lamp is adapted to protrude, a yielding electrical contact member rigidly connected to the base element in insulated relation and having a spring finger extending below said open end of the socket body in a, position to be engaged by the terminal end of the base portion of said lamp when mounted in the body, and a pair of spaced-apart, depending, elongated terminal elements rigidly connected respectively to said base element and said contact member, at opposite sides of the socket body.

2. An electric lamp socket of the character described, comprising a base element formed as a sheet metal stamping and having a socket body for the reception of the base portion of an electric lamp, said element having features adapted to cooperate with features on the base portion of the lamp for removably securing said lamp in the socket body, said socket body having an open bottom through which the terminal end of said base portion of the lamp is adapted to protrude, a yielding electrical contact member rigidly connected to the base element in insulated relation and having a spring finger extending below said open end of the socket body in a position to be engaged by the terminal end of the base portion of said lamp when mounted in the body, and a pair of spaced-apart, depending, elongated terminal elements formed as integral parts of said base element and said contact member respectively, at opposite sides of the socket body.

3. An electric lamp socket of the character described, comprising a base element formed as a sheet metal stamping and having a generally circular opening, surrounded by a pair of upstanding, spaced apart arcuate flanges to constitute a socket for receiving the base portion of an electric lamp of the type having a pair of oppositely ending lugs on said base portion, said base element having a pair of notches registering with the spaces between said flanges and through which the lugs on the base portion of the lamp are adapted to be projected, the underside of the base element, adjacent said opening, and spaced circumferentially from said notches being formed with seats for said lugs when the lamp is rotatively positioned in the socket, stop means carried on the base element, and having a depending portion positioned to be engaged by the end of the base portion of the lamp for limiting the extent of axial movement of said lamp in said socket, and a yielding electrical contact member rigidly connected to the base element in insulated relation and having a spring finger extending below said opening in a position to be engaged by the terminal end of the base portion of the lamp when mounted in the socket.

4. In a socket for the bumper assembly of a pin ball machine, said socket formed of two metal members secured together but insulated from each other, one of said members having a socket portion for receiving a light bulb, and a leg extending downwardly therefrom, the other member having portion engaging the bottom of said light bulb and a leg integrally formed therewith and extending downwardly therefrom, said second leg positioned on the opposite side of the first leg, and both said legs supporting said socket on the opposite sides thereof.

5. In a socket construction, said socket formed of two metal members secured together but insulated from each other, one of said members having a socket portion for receiving a, light bulb, and a leg extending downwardly therefrom, the other member having a portion engaging the bottom of said light bulb and a leg integrally formed therewith and extending downwardly therefrom, said other member being formed of a resilient material so that the portion engaging the bottom of the bulb will be constantly urged upwardly, said second leg positioned on the opposite side of the first leg and both said legs supporting said socket on the opposite sides thereof.

CHARLES E. CAESTECKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

